AltWeeklies Wire
Daedelus Embraces a Quiet, Close-Listening Approachnew
Since his 2001 debut, the prolific Santa Monica native has sampled literally thousands of records for his own releases, but his producer's work ethic has yet to translate into the lifeless tracks that run rampant in the computer-music scene.
The Georgia Straight |
Martin Turenne |
06-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Isis Balances the Ferocious and the Serenenew
Wavering Radiant's quieter passages are transcendent enough to suggest that singer-guitarist Aaron Turner is just as happy lost in the middle of nowhere as he is soaking up the maddening roar of modern civilization. That turns out to be exactly the case.
The Georgia Straight |
Mike Usinger |
06-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mirror Pal: The Band Who Would Be Kingnew
We Are confirms the indie rock group's spot at the top.
Orlando Weekly |
Justin Strout |
06-19-2009 |
Reviews
Used MP3s: Hawking 'Old' Digital Music Files Through New Websitenew
A new crop of consumer-facing music stores is focused on helping fans resell "used" digital music the way they do CDs. But the big conundrum with digital music is that there's no way to prove sellers legally own the songs on their computers.
Nashville Scene |
Eliot Van Buskirk |
06-19-2009 |
Music
Songwriter Todd Snider Gets the Band Back Togethernew
"This will be the first time in 10 years we've all played together," Snider says of his upcoming performance with the Original Nervous Wrecks. "We'll play mostly stuff off [my] last three records, but we'll do a few oldies and probably take some requests."
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-19-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Suddenly, Hip-Hop Can't Hate on Soulja Boy's Swagnew
The spoils (and spoilers) of success were expected. But who knew he'd earn credibility, too?
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
06-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Dirty Projectors is as Obscure as Ever on 'Bitte Orca'new
Dirty Projectors auteur David Longstreth has made a career out of working on the far-right edge of pop music's pretension continuum -- toiling in that special place reserved for musicians who slave over the placement of every note and seed their stuff with enough clever obscurities to almost warrant an annotated guide.
Washington City Paper |
Mike Kanin |
06-18-2009 |
Reviews
Dinosaur Jr. Refines the Sound of its Heydaynew
The lackadaisical manner that characterized the band during the '80s hasn’t carried over to Farm. The songs are more expertly orchestrated, and to some extent, the tighter, more mature Dinosaur Jr. sounds strongly reminiscent of another lumbering grunge band of yore: Pearl Jam.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
06-18-2009 |
Reviews
Eels' Latest Brings a Fresh Perspectivenew
Hombre Lobo cuts its way out of painful heartache with lean guitar riffs, punchy lyrics and unbridled howls of pure, angry longing.
Tucson Weekly |
Sarah Jacoby |
06-17-2009 |
Reviews
St. Vincent's Hypnotic Second Album is a Rewarding Listennew
Actor is uniquely modern; noticeably heard are its combined influences of the genteel folk of Fairport Convention, the aural destructiveness of Sonic Youth, and the operatic gloss of movie scores (Disney in particular).
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
06-17-2009 |
Reviews
The Horse's Ha's Latest Brings Comfortable Compatibilitynew
Janet Beveridge Bean found her own voice in her 2003 Dragging Wonder Lake; her fans have eagerly awaited a follow-up -- and Cathmawr Yards almost counts.
Tucson Weekly |
Linda Ray |
06-17-2009 |
Reviews
The Occidental Brothers Share Their Love of West African Musicnew
To say the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International plays African music is accurate, but rather vague. Considering that Africa is the world's second-largest continent and contains dozens of countries and countless musical styles, that's a broad generalization.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Deer Tick Channels Country & Classic Rock Rootsnew
For a relatively new band, ass-kicking expectations are high. Recently, Deer Tick was named the No. 1 act to claw through the chaos at SXSW 2009 by Rolling Stone, and NBC newscaster Brian Williams selected them to appear on his Web-only show, BriTunes.
Boise Weekly |
Tara Morgan |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Toshio Hirano, the Tokyo Yodelernew
Hirano is a poorly kept secret who nonetheless provokes the protective nature of his followers. The night I was at Amnesia, one young fan showed concern that I would increase Hirano's exposure, shaking his head and saying, "But he's our local treasure."
SF Weekly |
Jennifer Maerz |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Toshio Hirano
The Stitches' Obsession with Punk's First Wave Has Made Them a Fan Boy's Dreamnew
While it's been fifteen years since the release of the Stitches' raucous first single, "Sixteen," and about a decade since they were at the height of their career, the Southern California band hasn't strayed from punk's debaucherous ethos, and continues to sporadically traverse the world's dingy bars.
East Bay Express |
Dave Cantor |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
